Screen Free Saturday Thoughts from Heidi - Part #1

Did you know each year there is a National Screen Free Week where children and adults are encouraged to turn off the tv and put down their phones and do something they wouldn’t otherwise do? Typically, Screen Free week occurs in May but given our current circumstances with distance learning and social distancing, the individuals behind Screen Free week have changed it to Screen – Free Saturdays!

Taking time to limit the amount of exposure to screens is important for all. By limiting screen time, it allows us to reconnect with one another after being on our laptops and tablets majority of the week fostering good social – emotional development. It lets parents take back control of what our children see and limits game developers abilities to dictate how their brains respond in situations (ex. Problem solving). Screen Free Saturdays encourage families to play and get creative. This creativity fosters language and executive functioning development. Designating a scree free day allows us to take a break, decompress, and recharge for the week to come. This may be more important than ever with the majority of us currently working from home.

Did you know:

- The blue light emitted from devices affects our bodies ability to promote natural melatonin in order to fall a sleep and get a good night’s rest

- A 2017 study of U.S. adults found spending six or more hours a day watching TV or using a computer was associated with a higher risk for depression

- When we are on screens our brain releases a neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Dopamine makes us feel good. We all want to feel good, don’t we? So, in turn, we return to those activities that allow the release of Dopamine, but too much Dopamine can be bad and create poor habits.

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

Children less than 24 months should not have any media use except for video chatting.

If you do introduce children to media use, between 18 and 24 months, make sure its high quality (i.e. Sesame street) and speak with your child about what it is they are watching.

Children 2 – 5 years of age may watch up to one hour of high-quality programming a day.

Here are some suggestions that take you outside for your screen – free Saturday:

-          Hike through a local park reserve

-          Do chalk on a sidewalk. We may not be able to visit friends, but surprise them by writing them a message in their drive – way or sidewalk

-          Nature scavenger hunt

-          Play Frisbee, Catch, or Disc Golf

-          Make bubbles (2 C. warm water, 1/3 C. dish soap,  ¼ C. Corn Syrup)

If you have other ideas, feel free to share with us or let us know what you did with your Scree – Free Saturday!